Theatrical appliance.



I snow V601 No. 810,734. BATENTED JAN. 23, 1906.

B. J. PAGAN.

THEATRIGAL APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 9, 1905.

lm magma UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent. i

Patented Jan. 23, 1906.

Application filed August 9, 1905. Serial No. 273,411.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, BERNARD J. FAGAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Theatrical Appliances; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in theatrical appliances, and is especially designed to provide a delusional means whereby an inanimate object may be apparently animated to become a dancing object, in which latter case the inanimate object is elevated and the legs only of an operative appear in View beneath the same.

In describing the invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings, illustrating an application of the same, in which Figure 1 is an elevation showing the device in its position of rest With an operative, shown in dotted lines, hidden therein; and Fig. 2 is a view showing the device elevated into its animated position with the legs of the operative appearing therebeneath.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention 1 designates an inanimate object comprising a rigid shell or casing composed of a pair of hollow members of frusto-conical form with their smaller ends together, forming a constricted waist portion 2, adapted to rest upon the hips of the operative, the waistopening being of sufiicient size to allow the passage of the shoulders of the female operative. The operative kneels down, holds her hands above her head, and the shell is lowered over her, her shoulders passing through the constricted waist-opening and her head reaching to the top. The shell is made of such dimensions that when the operative is kneeling she will be entirely concealed, the upper part of the shell being of such a length that it will just reach from her head to her Waist.

3 designates the top of the inanimate object, which is preferably in the form of a lawn-table, and centrally of this top is a dome-piece 4, the underneath surface of which forms a recess for'the reception of the head of the operative inside and the upper portion of the dome-piece 4 being preferably surmounted by an electric lamp 5.

The object and advantage of this device will appear from the foregoing description and illustration. For instance, the device may be used in connection with a drinking scene on the stage, wherein after the participants have left their tables the tables themselves appear to join in the festivities by performing a dance.

What I claim is 1. In a theatrical appliance, a delusion device consisting of a, movable shell made of rigid material and having a constricted portion near the center thereof, the internal dimensions of such constricted portion being such that the device is adapted to slip over the shoulders and rest on the hips of the operator and the device being of such dimensions as to completely conceal the operator when in a kneeling position and to expose the legs of the operator when standing, substantially as described.

2. In a theatrical appliance, a delusion device consisting of a movable shell made of rigid material comprising two members of frusto-conical form, with their small ends together, thereby forming a constricted portion, the internal dimensions of such constricted portion being such that the device is adapted to slip over the shoulders and rest on the hips of the operator and having a top with a dome-shaped center to receive the head of the operator, the parts being so proportioned as to entirely conceal the operator when kneeling down and expose the legs of the operator when standing, and an illuminating device thereon, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BERNARD J. FAGAN.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM H. COHEN, E. M. HOLMES. 

